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Fake kidnap: Court remands ex-Baale of Shangisa, wife

A Lagos State Magistrate’s Court in Ogba has ordered the remand of the deposed Baale of Shangisha, Chief Mutiu Ogundare, in the Kirikiri Prison for allegedly faking his kidnap.

Ogundare, who was arraigned along with his wife, Abolanle, and his brother, Mohammed Babatunde, would remain in custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions.

The ex-baale allegedly connived with his wife and brother to fake his kidnap on Wednesday, July 5.

He was, however, seen driving in Oyo, Kwara and Osun states.

The brothers had been paraded at the State House, Ikeja, by the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni.

On Thursday, the three suspects were brought before the court by a police prosecutor, Peter Okerinmodun, on three counts bordering on fake kidnapping.

The charge sheet stated that Ogundare on July 5, 2017, “put himself forward to be kidnapped for the purpose of causing breach of public peace,” contrary to Section 5 of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State.

“That you, Mohammed Babatunde and Abolanle Ogundare, on the same day, did aid, counsel, abet and procure Mutiu Ogundare to fake his kidnap, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 7 (1) and (2) of the Kidnapping Prohibition 2017, No. C17, Law of Lagos State,” the charge sheet read in part.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty before the presiding magistrate, Mrs. T. Akanni.

Their counsel, Glory Odimayo, prayed the court to grant the defendants bail, adding that they were prominent members of the Shangisha community and they would not jump bail.

He further assured the court that they would not use their position to tamper with evidence before the court.

But the prosecutor, Okerinmodun, opposed the bail application, claiming that the defendants, if granted bail, might cause a breakdown of law and order in the community.

Ruling on the application, Akanni, cited Section 155 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2011, noting that bail was at the discretion of the court.

She, thereafter, granted bail to each of the defendants, in the sum of N2m with two sureties each in the like sum.

She stated that the sureties must consist of a traditional ruler, and either a person with registered property in Lagos or a Grade Level 17 officer in the state public service.